We began our day at Grovetown Primary School in Blenheim. Our American representative Lara won the kids over with her presentation and a special “world harmony tree" was offered to the school from the runners to be planted in their ‘Island of Life’ garden. We ran around their beautiful oval before heading north. The teams then separated, with runners enjoying magnificent scenery in either Nelson or Picton.

The team in Picton visited Waikawa Bay School where they were welcomed by an assembly full of cheering children. Brenda delivered the World Harmony Run song with actions and by the third time through the kids were able to sing the whole song! The close connection between teachers and students in this school was very evident. They taught the runners about what they do in their school to create harmony. Things like kindness, friendship, negotiation and understanding are all openly encouraged. The kids signed our world map and joined us for a relay around the school field. The pride of the runners was quickly shattered as races between the children and the torch bearers openly took place. The kids sure showed our runners how it’s done!

After saying goodbye the runners then headed out to Charlotte Sounds where they were blessed with blue skies and the shining sun gleaming down upon the perfectly still ocean sounds. This was their scenery for the next 30km; undulating hills from Sound to Sound, of beautiful New Zealand scene-scapes. It was amazing to see all the little settlements in all the different bays and coves, where it seemed that time stood still. No one was in a hurry for anything

Aaron and the other runners found the famous Pelorus Bridge and took the torch in the crystal clear waters. Not for very long though, as the water was not only crystal clear but felt like it was full of ice crystals as well, it was freezing!! Refreshed, the runners then moved onwards towards Nelson. Meanwhile another team also headed for Nelson and paid an impromptu visit to Hira school, situated in the appropriately name “Happy Valley”. Although not on the itinerary the children of Hira School enthusiastically received the passing runners and guided them and the torch around their running track. The team then gave a spontaneous talk about the World Harmony Run, answered questions and let the children hold the torch as they offered their wishes for world harmony. Energised by this unexpected visit the team again set out on their Nelson-bound journey. The two teams then reunited at Hampden Street School where the Deputy Mayor of Nelson, Derek Shaw received the torch on behalf of the city and echoed to the children the famous words of John Lennon, “give peace a chance.” Mr Shaw would be pleased to learn that John Lennon’s fellow Beatle and friend Paul McCartney has himself held the torch in his support for world harmony!

The gentle glow of twilight settled in as everyone hit the road late in the afternoon to cover some more miles. With the torch powerfully lighting the road and sparking cheers of enthusiasm from passing drivers and truckers, evening descended and another day was over for the World Harmony Run team.